Effect of dry extract from Saccharomyces cerevisiae culture with selenium-containing amino acids on the productivity and chemical composition of meat of broiler chickens

Abstract

Introduction of biologically active supplements to the diet of poultry results in maximal use of nutrients and positively influences the live weight and slaughter parameters. This promotes rational and economical use of fodders and boosts the poultry productivity. We studied a mineral feed supplement – an organic selenium compound, which has a much greater bioavailability than inorganic sources of selenium. Selenomethionine is easily digested in the organism and effectively used for synthesis of proteins. Broiler chickens of the experimental group that had been consuming the selenoamino-acid feed additive had greater live weight at the age of 14–42 days, compared with the control. Intake of the mineral supplement by the broiler chickens in the experimental group increased their mean daily increment by 8.5% and the absolute increment by 8.6%, compared with the control peers. In the experimental group of broilers, the mineral supplement increased the pre-slaughter live weight by 8.4%, weight of intact carcass by 10.1%. Also, the weight of the semi-processed carcasses (i.e. those with removed intestines and cloaca, filled crop, oviduct and ovary (in female specimens) increased by 4.3%, and the weight of the processed carcasses (the internal organs and abdominal-cavity fat and esophagus of which were removed, without head, legs and wing metacarpals) increased by 8.0%, compared with the control group of broilers. In the experimental group, the feed supplement gave 13.7% rise in the weight of the breast muscles and 14.5% increase in the weight of the thigh muscles, compared with the control group. Intake of this supplement in the experimental group promoted 7.5% increase in the weight of the gizzard by and 9.2% increase in the weight of the duodenum, as compared with the control. Usage of the selenoamino-acid feed supplement increased the protein concentration in the breast muscles of the broiler chickens by 1.9%, compared with the control. Intake of the mineral supplement increased the amounts of dry matter and fat in the thigh muscles of the experimental group, compared with the control group. Therefore, adding dry yeast extract to diet of broilers together with selenium-containing amino acids is a promising method of increasing the effectiveness of poultry farming.